Heavy metal concentrations in roadside-deposited sediments in Kuwait city

In the present study, roadside-deposited sediment samples collected from Kuwait city district, in Kuwait, were analyzed for specific heavy metals (As, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn). Contamination assessment status of heavy metals in roadside sediments was made using mathematical models in terms of enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (I _geo), and contamination factor (CF). The sediments showed remarkably high levels of all the metals, except Ni, above background concentrations in the following order (As, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, and Cr). CF and I _geo revealed overall moderately uncontaminated and moderate contamination, respectively, but the EFs for all metals ranged between moderate and significant enrichment.     

Heavy metal distribution and accumulation in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spartina alterniflora</Emphasis> from the Andong tidal flat,Hangzhou Bay,China

In order to study the heavy metal accumulation and distribution in the roots, stems, and leaves of Spartina alterniflora, we collected S. alterniflora samples and the associated sediments along three transects at the Andong tidal flat, Hangzhou Bay. Co, Ni, Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn were mainly accumulated in the aerial parts (stems and leaves) of the plants, and their distributions depended on their mobility and their roles during the metabolism processes of S. alterniflora. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb were significantly enhanced with the increasing of heavy metal concentrations in the sediments, while those of Co and Ni remained relatively constant. Bioaccumulation factors results showed that the serious heavy metal contamination in the sediments from the transect A may overwhelm the accumulation capability of the plants. In addition, the physicochemical properties of the sediments and the pore water therein also play a role in the heavy metal concentrations and accumulations in the plants, because they can influence the behaviors and bioavailabilities of heavy metals during nutrition and bioaccumulation processes of the plants. The sediments with vegetation did not show significantly decreased heavy metal concentration with respect to the unvegetated sediments, although the plants did absorb heavy metals from the sediments. Principal component analysis and correlation analyses indicated that Co–Ni, Cu–Cd–Hg behaved coherently during accumulation, which may be ascribed to their similar accumulation mechanisms. This work provided essential information on the heavy metal accumulation by plants in a tidal flat, which will be useful for the environmental control through phytoremediation at estuaries.     

煤矸石释放重金属环境效应研究--淮南煤矿塌陷区水体试验场实例调查

概要分析了淮南新孜5号井煤矸石所含的重金属元素对塌陷区鱼塘水质的影响,指出除个别水样中Zn、Cu超标外,其他均不超标,该鱼塘水质适宜养鱼要求。矸石样与华北及整个地壳泥岩中元素的丰度比,矸石中Cr、Pb、Zn与泥岩丰度基本持平,而Cd、Cu均超过其他泥岩中丰度值。因此,煤矸石在地面遭受风化,其所含有害物质可能会释放到环境,在煤矸石堆放处适当进行监测还是必要的。     

Heavy metals content and distribution in the surface sediments of the Guangzhou section of the Pearl River,Southern China

The long-term industrialization and urbanization of Guangzhou city may lead to heavy metal contamination of its aquatic sediment. Nevertheless, only few studies have been published on the distribution and contamination assessment of heavy metals in this urban river sediment. Thus, the major objective of this study was to quantitatively assess contamination of heavy metals and their chemical partitioning in the sediments of the Guangzhou section of the Pearl River (GSPR). Surface sediment samples were collected at 10 sites in the main river and 12 sites in the creeks of the GSPR. The total content of Cd was determined by graphite furnace atomic adsorption spectrometry (GF-AAS), and content of Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The chemical partitioning of these heavy metals in the sediments of the main river was determined by the sequential selective extraction (SSE) method. Results indicated that the average total concentrations of Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu and Zn in the sediments of the main river were 1.44, 63.7, 95.5, 253.6 and 370.0 mg/kg, respectively, whereas they were 2.10, 125.5, 110.1, 433.7 and 401.9 mg/kg in the sediments of the creeks. The sediment at M4 and C9 sites was heavily contaminated with about 8 and 11 of toxic unit, respectively. Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn were mostly bound to organic matter and in the residual phase, whereas Cd was mostly associated with the soluble and exchangeable phase and the residual phase. The mobility and bioavailability of Cd, Zn and Cr in the sediments of the main river were relatively higher than Cu and Pb, due to higher levels in the soluble and exchangeable fraction and the carbonate fraction. The potential acute toxicity in the sediments of the main river and creeks was mainly caused by Cu contamination, accounting for 21.7–37.1% and 16.9–46.3% of the total toxicity, respectively, followed by Zn and Pb. Adverse biological effects induced by heavy metals would be expected in the sediments of the GSPR. Therefore, the sediments of the GSPR, especially at M4 and C9 sites, need to be remediated to maintain aquatic ecosystem health.     

Evaluation of the removal of heavy metals in a natural wetland impacted by mining activities in Mexico

This research is focused on evaluating heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) uptake and removal by Eleocharis ovata, Cyperus manimae, Typha dominguensis, and Pteridium aquilinum in a natural wetland impacted by mining activities. We analyzed heavy metals content and distribution in native plants, soils, and water of a semipermanent natural wetland in Taxco de Alarcón, Guerrero, and we also determined the physicochemical characteristics of the water. Translocation factor (TF) and bioconcentration factor (BCF) were evaluated. Results showed that physical and chemical conditions are favorable for plants development. Correlation analysis showed a good and positive relation (0.95) between Cu and Pb in soils and plants. In the analyzed matrices: Zn (0.62–2.20 mg/L) exceeded the permissible limits in water, high concentrations of Pb and Zn (26.57–525.67 and 266.67–983.33 mg/kg, respectively) were detected in the studied soils, and Pb exceeded the normal range for E. ovata and P. aquilinum in the analyzed plants. Uptake of heavy metals in the tissues of different species was found in the following order: root > leaf. Data of TF and BCF showed that E. ovata is a tolerant plant with respect to heavy metals exposure since TF value was greater than 1. This study showed that E. ovata could be considered as a bioaccumulator of heavy metals in contaminated soils.     

Anthropogenic influences on toxic metals in water and sediment samples collected from industrially polluted Cuddalore coast,Southeast coast of India

The present study was carried out to investigate the impact of anthropogenic influences on Cuddalore coast, Southeast coast of India, with regard to physicochemical parameters and heavy metal concentration in the surface water and sediment samples of the study area. The samples were collected in different seasons of the year (January–December 2010) and analysed for physicochemical parameters (Temperature, pH, salinity, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, phosphate and silicate) and heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) using standard methods. Results showed that physicochemical characteristics and heavy metals concentration in the samples of the study area were varied seasonally and spatially. The concentrations of heavy metals in water and sediment samples of the study area were higher in the monsoon season compared with those of other seasons. The heavy metal concentration in collected samples was found to be above WHO standards. The order of heavy metals in water and sediment samples was Pb > Cu > Cd > Zn. The heavy metal data were analysed through widely using multivariate statistical methods including principle component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA). CA classified the sampling sites into three clusters based on contamination sources and season. The PCA revealed that the season has a huge impact on the levels, types and distribution of metals found in water and sediment samples. The study also shows the main basis of heavy metals pollution at Cuddalore coast is land based anthropogenic inputs as a result of discharging of waste from industries, municipal, agricultural activities and sewage into estuarine regions, which carries the wastes into coastal area during tidal action. Statistical analyses and experimental data revealed that the Cuddalore coast may cause health risk to the recreational users and fisher folk, ultimately warrants environmental quality management to control heavy metal contamination.     

Adsorption of Ammonium and Heavy Metal Ions on Industrial Vermiculite from the Yuli Mine in Xinjiang, China

The present work discusses the mineralogy, saturated adsorption of ammonium and adsorption of heavy metal ions （Cu^2＋, Pb^2＋ and Zn^2＋） on industrial vermiculite samples from the Yuli Mine in Xinjiang Autonomous Region. The saturated adsorption capacity of ammonium and the affection factors of adsorption of Cu^2＋, Pb^2＋ and Zn^2＋ are discussed on the basis of the mineralogical characteristics of the industrial vermiculite samples. The saturated adsorption capacities of ammonium are between 56.02 and 98.42 mmol/100g. The time of adsorption equilibrium is about 30-60 min, and the pH values and concentration of the ion solution significantly affect the adsorption capacities of the heavy metal ions. The adsorption capabilities of the heavy metal ions on industrial vermiculite are almost the same in the low ion concentration solutions, characterized by a sequence of Zn^2＋〉Pb^2＋〉Cu^2＋ for adsorption capacity in solutions with relatively high ion concentration. The results have practical significance for the application of the industrial vermiculite to treating wastewater containing ammonium or heavy metal ions.     

Characteristics of distribution and chemical speciation of heavy metals in environmental mediums around Jinchang mining city,Northwest China

Heavy metal contamination was the main environmental problem around the Jinchang Ni–Cu mine area of Gansu, Northwest China. The concentration of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in various environmental mediums around the Jinchang Ni–Cu mine area were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The different chemical speciation of heavy metals was extracted using BCR (European Community Bureau of Reference) sequential extraction procedure, and the concentration of chemical speciation of each heavy metal was measured by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The results showed that Cu and Ni were the most important heavy metal pollutants in various mediums including cultivated soils, dust on slagheap surfaces, tailings, and sediments in waste water drains. In the tailings and sediments, the concentrations of Ni were obviously higher than those of Cu, whereas, in the soil and dust, the concentrations of Cu were higher than those of Ni. Analysis of chemical speciation indicated that Cr and Zn were mainly in residual fraction; Cu was mainly in oxidizable fraction; Ni was mainly in reducible fraction and acid soluble fraction; and Pb was mainly in reducible fraction and residual fraction. The extent of contamination of various environmental mediums was different because the heavy metals were derived from different sources. Furthermore, the mobility of various heavy metals was different because of the different distribution of chemical speciation.     

Role of riverine sediment and particulate matter in adsorption of heavy metals

Riverine sediments and suspended matters have been subjected to several bench scale tests for the evaluation of adsorption potential of heavy metals. For this purpose water, sediment and suspended particulate matters of Tadjan River (southern part of the Caspian Sea) were collected. In the vicinity of the river many polluting sources were recognized; for instance, pulp and paper mill, dairy factory and municipal sewage that can introduce various amounts of heavy metals into the river water. Bottom sediments and suspended particulate matters have been individually subjected to adsorption tests. The results of analysis showed that riverine bottom sediments have greater potential for adsorbing heavy metals than suspended matters. However the trend of adsorption in both sediments and suspended matters are similar. Maximum adsorption capacity of heavy metals (in terms of mg of metal per kg of sediments and suspended matters) by sediments and suspended matters are as: Sediments: Cu (2200)> Mn (2000)> Ni (1400)> Zn (320) Suspended matters: Cu (2100)> Ni (1500)> Mn (1200)> Zn (310) Further, results revealed that increasing concentration of metals would cause desorbing Cadmium from both sediments and suspended matters.     

Spatial distribution,mineralogy, and weathering of heavy metals in soils along zinc-concentrate ground transportation routes: implication for assessing heavy metal sources

We investigated the source of heavy metals in soils at a site in South Korea, where a ground transportation of zinc-concentrates (ZnS, sphalerite) occurs daily. Seventy soil samples were collected at the site and analyzed for residual concentrations of heavy metals, as well as their chemical and mineralogical properties. Enrichment factor was calculated based on local geochemical background level of metals in soils and confirmed the contamination of soils in the area by an anthropogenic source. The concentration data were also subjected to a Pearson correlation analysis to determine the possible influences of anthropogenic sources and identify the primary source. A slight negative correlation between heavy metals and Al, and a weak correlation between heavy metals and Fe implied that the heavy metals originated from anthropogenic inputs rather than a geogenic source. A strong positive linear correlation between Zn and other heavy metals (i.e., As, Cd, Cu, Pb, r ≥ 0.96, p ≤ 0.001) suggested the influence of a single anthropogenic source of zinc-concentrates containing all of these heavy metals. Zinc-concentrate oxidation and leaching experiments, which mimicked physical and chemical weathering in the environment, indicated that zinc-concentrate could be transformed to zinc oxides and release Cd and Pb upon precipitation. The findings in this study provide an insight into the fate of the Zn that the original form of zinc-concentrate would not remain in the soil after long-term weathering, which should be considered when source of heavy metals is identified.     

Soil bacterial strains with heavy metal resistance and high potential in degrading diesel oil and <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-alkanes

Four bacterial strains, capable of degrading diesel oil, n-alkanes or hexadecane, were isolated from soils contaminated with petroleum oil and identified. Strains of Pseudomonas sp., Pseudomonas putida TPHK-1 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa TPHK-4, were more efficient in degrading high concentrations of the hydrocarbons than the other two strains, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia TPHK-2 and Acenitobacter sp. TPHK-3. P. putida TPHK-1 exhibited tolerance to very high concentrations of heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, zinc and copper. The innate ability of P. putida TPHK-1, as evidenced by the amplified genes alkB1 and alkB2 that encode alkane hydroxylases, and cat12o and cat23o coding for catechol dioxygenase, in degrading diesel oil in the presence of heavy metals is far greater than that of the strains reported in the literature. Heavy metal tolerance coupled with rapid degradation of hydrocarbons, even at high concentrations, suggests that P. putida TPHK-1 has a great potential in remediating soils contaminated with mixtures of hydrocarbons and heavy metals.     

沉积物微量金属元素在重建水体环境变化中的意义

沉积物所记录的微量金属含量与形态的变化是指示人类活动影响下水体环境变化的有效指标,主要用于指示沉积物重金属污染、水体初级生产力变化和氧化还原条件等方面的水体环境状况。总体而言,沉积物中微量金属含量在近一个世纪以来显著上升,反映了采矿、冶金、污水排放、化肥使用、煤炭和石油燃烧等各种人类活动造成水体和沉积物重金属污染的记录作为浮游植物微量营养元素,Cu、Zn、Ni、Ba、Cd等在沉积物中的记录可以指示水体初级生产力水平。U、Mo、V、Cu、Cd、Mn等氧化还原敏感元素在沉积物中的富集或贫化,及其比值(如Re/Mo、Cd/U、Th/U和V/Sc)的变化,是指示水体和沉积物氧化还原环境的有效指标。但需要指出的是,在受人类活动影响的水体中,这些生产力和氧化还原指标很少能指示水体生产力或氧化还原状况,可能主要与人类活动同时造成这些金属元素大量污染输入而掩盖了其自生来源和内在变化的沉积记录有关。所以,对沉积物中微量金属元素来源的判别(陆源碎屑输入、人为输入和水体自生来源)是重建水体环境变化的重要前提。本文总结了多种化学和统计学方法(包括同位素示踪法、化学提取法、富集因子法和主成分分析法等)在沉积物金属来源判别中的应用另外,成岩作用等多种因素会干扰沉积物金属记录对环境变化的指示作用,所以构建多元素指标来综合判断沉积物记录所反映的环境信息是今后的研究所必须关注的     

Biosorption of heavy metals by organic carbon from spent mushroom substrates and their raw materials

The use of agricultural wastes as biosorbents is gaining importance in bioremediation of heavy metal-polluted water and soils, due to their effectiveness and low cost. This work assesses the Cd, Pb and Cu adsorption capacity of the raw materials used in the production of substrates for mushroom production (Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus ostreatus) and the spent mushroom composted (SMC), based on the functional groups of their organic carbon. The raw materials studied included agricultural wastes (wheat straw, wheat and rice poultry litter, grape pomace) and inorganic substances (gypsum and calcareous sand). Organic carbon from wastes and their composting products were characterized by CP-MAS ¹³C NMR. Langmuir adsorption isotherms of metals were plotted for each raw material, composting step, spent A. bisporus and P. ostreatus substrates and the final SMC. The maximum adsorption capacities of SMC were 40.43, 15.16 and 36.2 mg g^?1 for Cd, Pb and Cu, respectively. The composting process modified the adsorption properties of raw materials because of the enhanced adsorption of Cd and Cu and decreased adsorption capacity of Pb. CP-MAS ¹³C NMR and potentiometric titration were used to identify the functional groups of the organic carbon responsible for the metal adsorption. The content of cellulose was correlated with Pb adsorption (p < 0.001), alkyl and carboxyl carbon with Cd adsorption (p < 0.001), and N-alkyl (p < 0.001) and carboxyl (p < 0.010) groups with Cu adsorption. These results are valuable to develop new biosorbents based on agricultural wastes and demonstrate the high potential of SMC to adsorb heavy metals from polluted environments.     

Heavy metal contamination in water and sediment of the Port Klang coastal area, Selangor, Malaysia

This investigation presents the temporal and spatial distribution of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Hg, and Zn), in water and in sediments of Port Klang, Malaysia. Water and sediment samples were collected from 21 stations at 3-month intervals, and contamination factor $ (C_{\text{f}} ) $ and contamination degree $ (C_{\text{d}} ) $ were calculated to estimate the contamination status at the sampling stations. Cluster analysis was used to classify the stations based on the contamination sources. Results show that concentrations of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb in sediment and As, Cd, Hg, Pb, Cr, and Zn in water were significantly higher than the background values at which these metals are considered hazardous. The main sources of heavy metal contamination in Port Klang were industrial wastewater and port activities.     

Eco-Environmental Geochemistry of Heavy Metal Pollution in Dexing Mining Area

An eco-environmental geochemical investigation was carried out in and around the Dexing mining area to determine the concentrations of heavy metals in the surface water, sediments, soils and plants. The main objective of this study is to assess the environmental situation and evaluate the transferring of heavy metals from mining activities into the food chain. Some samples of water, sediment, topsoil and plant were collected along the Lean River in the Dexing mining area. The total concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, and As were determined by AAS, and Hg was analyzed by cold-vapor AAS. Some indices such as ‘contamination degree‘ , ‘geoaccumulation index‘ , and ‘biological absorption coefficient‘ were used to assess eco-environmental quality. The investigation indicated a highly localized distribution pattern closely associated with the two pollution sources along the Le‘an River bank: one is strong acidity and a large amount of Cu in the drainage from the Dexing Cu mining area; and the other is the high concentrations of Pb and Zn in the effluents released from many smelters and mining, processing and extracting activities in the riparian zone. Results from the investigated localities indicated, at least in part, that some problems associated with environmental quality deterioration should be solved in the future.     

Competitive adsorption,release and speciation of heavy metals in the Yellow River sediments,China

The competitive adsorption and the release of selected heavy metals and their speciation distribution before and after adsorption in the Yellow River sediments are discussed. The adsorption of metals onto sediments increases with increasing pH value and decreases with increasing ionic strength. The competitive coefficient K _c and the distribution coefficient K _d are obtained to analyze the competitive abilities of selected heavy metals, which are ranked as Pb > Cu >> Zn > Cd. The competition among selected heavy metals becomes more impetuous with increasing ion concentration in water. Speciation analysis was done by an improved analytical procedure involving five steps of sequential extraction. Cu, Pb and Zn were mainly transformed into the carbonate-bound form (50.8–87.7%) in adsorption. Most of (60.7–77.3%) Cd was transformed into the exchangeable form, and the percentage of carbonate-bound Cd was 19.7–30.4%. The release reaction was so quick that the release capacity of selected heavy metals from sediments to aqueous solution reached half of the maximum value only in 30 s. As opposed to adsorption, the release capacities of selected heavy metals were ranked as Cd > Zn >> Cu > Pb. In this study, Cd produces the most severe environmental hazards, because its concentration in the release solution is 85.8 times more than the human health criteria of US EPA.     

Heavy metal anomalies in the Tinto and Odiel River and estuary system,Spain

The Tinto and Odiel rivers drain 100 km from the Rio Tinto sulphide mining district, and join at a 20-km long estuary entering the Atlantic Ocean. A reconnaissance study of heavy metal anomalies in channel sand and overbank mud of the river and estuary by semi-quantitative emission dc-arc spectrographic analysis shows the following upstream to downstream ranges in ppm (μg g^?1): As 3,000 to <200, Cd 30 to <0.1, Cu 1,500 to 10, Pb 2,000 to <10, Sb 3000 to <150, and Zn 3,000 to <200. Organic-rich (1.3–2.6% total organic carbon, TOC), sandysilty overbank clay has been analyzed to represent suspended load materials. The high content of heavy metals in the overbank clay throughout the river and estuary systems indicates the importance of suspended sediment transport for dispersing heavy metals from natural erosion and anthropogenic mining activities of the sulfide deposit. The organic-poor (0.21–0.37% TOC) river bed sand has been analyzed to represent bedload transport of naturally-occurring sulfide minerals. The sand has high concentrations of metals upstream but these decrease an order of magnitude in the lower estuary. Although heavy metal contamination of estuary mouth beach sand has been diluted to background levels estuary mud exhibits increased contamination apparently related to finer grain size, higher organic carbon content, precipitation of river-borne dissolved solids, and input of anthropogenic heavy metals from industrial sources. The contaminated estuary mud disperses to the inner shelf mud belt and offshore suspended sediment, which exhibit metal anomalies from natural erosion and mining of upstream Rio Tinto sulphide lode sources (Pb, Cu, Zn) and industrial activities within the estuary (Fe, Cr, Ti). Because heavy metal contamination of Tinto-Odiel river sediment reaches or exceeds the highest levels encountered in other river sediments of Spain and Europe, a detailed analysis of metals in water and suspended sediment throughout the system, and epidemiological analysis of heavy metal effects in humans is appropriate.     

Environmental assessment of heavy metal contamination in bottom sediments of Al-Kharrar lagoon,Rabigh, Red Sea,Saudi Arabia

In order to assess the pollution levels of selected heavy metals, 45 bottom sediment samples were collected from Al-Kharrar lagoon in central western Saudi Arabia. The concentrations of the heavy metals were recorded using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The results showed that the concentrations of Pb and Cd exceeded the environmental background values. However, the heavy metal contents were less than the threshold effect level (TEL) limit. The concentrations of heavy metals in lagoon bottom sediments varied spatially, but their variations showed similar trends. Elevated levels of metals were observed in the northern and southern parts of the lagoon. Evaluation of contamination levels by the sediment quality guidelines (SQG) of the US-EPA revealed that sediments were non-polluted-moderately to heavily polluted with Pb; non-polluted to moderately polluted with Cu; and non-polluted with Mn, Zn, Cd, and Cr. The geoaccumulation index showed that lagoon sediments were unpolluted with Cd, Mn, Fe, Hg, Mo, and Se; unpolluted to moderately polluted with Zn and Co; and moderately polluted with Pb, Cr, Cu, and As. The high enrichment factor values for Pb, As, Cu, Cr, Co, and Zn (>2) indicate their anthropogenic sources, whereas the remaining elements were of natural origins consistent with their low enrichment levels. The values of CF indicate that the bottom sediments of Al-Kharrar lagoon are moderately contaminated with Mn and Pb.     

Distribution patterns and potential ecological risk evaluation of heavy metals in the surface sediments of Beibu Gulf

The contents and distribution patterns of the heavy metals including Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, As and Hg in the surface sediments of Beibu Gulf have been analyzed to understand the current pollution situation and the eclogical risk in Beibu Gulf. Hakanson's Potential Ecological Risk factors and indices were used to assess the potential ecological risk of heavy metals to marine ecosystem in Beibu gulf. The results showed that the contents of Cu,Pb,Zn,As and Cd were low, but in some sites Hg was higher than National Marine Sediments of I Quality Standard. The distribution trend of all the six heavy metals was similar in Leizhou Peninsula, Northwest and South Hainan Island, and the high value zone appeared in the vicinity of Dongfang City. The results of principal component analysis showed that the three major sources of heavy metals contamination were industrial wastewater, agricultural wastewater and degradation of organic matter, with the first three principal components contribution rates of 47.13%, 18.44% and 18.35%. The potential ecological risk of heavy metals for the single element shows that the potential ecological risk order of these heavy metals is Hg＞Cd＞As＞Pb＞Cu＞Zn.And the potential ecological risk of As, Pb, Cu, Zn and Pb is minor, and the potential ecological risk of Hg is great. The comprehensive analysis of potential ecological risk of heavy metals show that Beibu gulf is of intermediate level, while some areas have reached strong level. The estuary of Changhua River has the lowest sediment environmental quality, and more attention must be paid to these areas.     

北部湾海域表层沉积物中重金属元素分布特征及潜在生态危害评价

为深入了解北部湾海域沉积物污染现状及生态风险,分析了Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、As、Hg 6种重金属元素在北部湾海域表层沉积物中的含量及分布特征,并运用潜在生态危害指数法评价了这些重金属元素对研究区生态系统的潜在危害。结果表明: Cu、Pb、Zn、As、Cd元素含量不高,仅部分站位Hg元素含量高于国家Ⅰ类海洋沉积物标准值; 6种重金属元素在雷州半岛、海南岛西北部以及海南岛南部分布趋势相似,高值区均出现在东方市附近。主成分分析结果表明,重金属来源主要有3个途径,分别是工业及生活排污、农业(农药、化肥等)残留和有机物降解,前3个主成分贡献率分别为47.13%、18.44%和18.35%。单项重金属元素潜在生态风险等级评价结果显示,研究区重金属元素潜在生态风险强弱次序为Hg＞Cd＞As＞Pb＞Cu＞Zn,As、Pb、Cu、Zn和Cd重金属元素潜在生态风险等级为轻微,而Hg潜在生态风险等级达到了强级。多项重金属元素潜在生态危害评价综合分析结果显示,北部湾海域生态风险等级为中等,部分区域生态风险等级达到了强级,特别是昌化江入海口附近地质环境较差,相关部门应予以足够重视。